Engineering is the process of using scientific knowledge, mathematics, and creativity to solve a technical problem.
The Straw Rocket Experiment served as a knowlege gathering activity. Students started with no prior knowledge of Straw Rockets and went through "Trial and Error" to develop a straw rocket that would have the Winning Characteristics necessary to travel the farthest distance possible. Students were introduced to Variables they could change and Constants they could not.
Constants
Variables
Winning Characteristics
Why
Compressed Air Launcher
Amount of Tape
Longer Straw Tube Body
Longer body allowed more stored energy of the launcher to transfer to energy of motion (kinetic energy) of the rocket.
Plastic Straws
Length of Rocket
Straight Fins
Allowed for more stored energy to be turned into straight energy of motion as opposed to spinning energy of motion.
Paper
Size of Fins
Small size fins
Large fins drag against the air and slow the rocket wasting energy. Small fins do not drag as much against the air so more energy available for motion.
Tape
Shape of Fins
Amount of Stored Energy
Conclusion:
The best rocket characteristics allowed for more stored energy in the launcher to be changed into straight energy of motion (kinetic energy) for the rocket.
Law of Conservation of Energy-Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form to another.
Engineering is the process of using scientific knowledge, mathematics, and creativity to solve a technical problem.
The Straw Rocket Experiment served as a knowlege gathering activity. Students started with no prior knowledge of Straw Rockets and went through "Trial and Error" to develop a straw rocket that would have the Winning Characteristics necessary to travel the farthest distance possible. Students were introduced to Variables they could change and Constants they could not.
Constants
Variables
Winning Characteristics
Why
Compressed Air Launcher
Amount of Tape
Longer Straw Tube Body
Longer body allowed more stored energy of the launcher to transfer to energy of motion (kinetic energy) of the rocket.
Plastic Straws
Length of Rocket
Straight Fins
Allowed for more stored energy to be turned into straight energy of motion as opposed to spinning energy of motion.
Paper
Size of Fins
Small size fins
Large fins drag against the air and slow the rocket wasting energy. Small fins do not drag as much against the air so more energy available for motion.
Tape
Shape of Fins
Amount of Stored Energy
Conclusion:
The best rocket characteristics allowed for more stored energy in the launcher to be changed into straight energy of motion (kinetic energy) for the rocket.
Law of Conservation of Energy-Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be changed from one form to another.